EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: SEPT. 10 – 16

Monday, Sept. 10
Forest Fitness Walk — Join a naturalist for a brisk weekly walk, and enjoy some healthy exercise as you take in the wonders of the woods. 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Adults only. Free. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Ropes for Scouts — Scouts, work toward merit badges by learning about different types of rope, how to whip and fuse them and how to tie basic knots. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Scouts ages 8 – 12 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Studio Art Class for Teens — Teens, bring your painting and drawing skills to an open studio setting. Designed for intermediate and advanced students, this nine-part class will guide young artists to advance their techniques in pastels, acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal and more. Class meets 6 – 8 p.m. on Mondays Sept. 10 – Dec. 3 (except Sept. 24, Oct. 8 and Nov. 19) at Mayslake Peabody Estate,
1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. $225 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Tuesday, Sept. 11
Kayaking Basics — Learn the basics of kayaking, including parts of the boat and paddling strokes.  Equipment provided. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove on Route 53 one-quarter mile south of Butterfield Road. Ages 14 and up; under 18 with an adult. $20 per person. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday — Help the District’s Habitat Improvement Program by lending a hand at the nursery. Weed and water plant beds, or collect and clean seed. 8 – 11 a.m. at the Grounds and Resources Complex at Blackwell Forest Preserve, 29W220 Mack Road in West Chicago. Ages 12 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Wednesday, Sept. 12
Archery for Active Adults — Try your hand at archery at one of DuPage County’s most scenic preserves. Equipment provided. 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn on
St. Charles Road one-quarter mile west of Route 53. Ages 50 and up. Free. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Thursday, Sept. 13
Kayaking for Active Adults — Try your hand at kayaking after learning basic techniques, watercraft safety and preserve information. Equipment provided. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove on Route 53 one-quarter mile south of Butterfield Road. Ages 50 and up. $20 per person. Registration begins Aug. 30. Call 630-933-7248.

Friday, Sept. 14
Fishing Clinic for Beginners — Learn fish ecology and identification as well as techniques and regulations. 5 – 7 p.m. at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Aug. 31. Call 630-933-7248.

FullersBird Fridays — Join these naturalist-led hikes, and see how the diversity of birds in a forest preserve changes from summer to fall. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Adults only. $6 per person per hike; 10-program pass $40. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Saturday, Sept. 15
Blacksmithing Demonstrations — Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Noon – 3:45 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

St. James Farm Walking Tour — Learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm during a leisurely one-mile guided walk around this historic location. 1:30 – 3 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages; under 13 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or collecting seed. 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Sunday, Sept. 16
Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Geocaching at Greene Valley — Try a popular treasure-hunting activity from one of the highest points in DuPage County. 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the scenic overlook at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville on Greene Road one-quarter mile south of 79th Street. Ages 5 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Sept. 4. Call 630-933-7248.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Noon – 3:45 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees serve in our food supply. Ask the beekeepers your questions about honey and bees. Demonstrations ongoing.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.